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Climber Killed In Oregon Fall Id'd As Fire-Medic

Nathan Turner
The Columbian via YellowBrix
July 26, 2011
PORTLAND – A 30-year-old Southeast Portland climber who fell off Beacon Rock and died Sunday evening was a firefighter-paramedic who worked in Oregon, Skamania County sheriff’s officials said.
Nathan “Nate” Turner fell about 5:30 p.m., according to a bulletin from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office. Rescuers first believed he’d only suffered a broken arm and leg.
Skamania County Undersheriff Dave Cox said late Monday afternoon that officials hadn’t determined the circumstances of the fatal fall.
Cox said Turner and a climbing partner, Michael Aubry of northeast Portland, were rappelling down the popular South Corner route. Cox believes Turner fell more than 100 feet.
Beacon Rock is an 848-foot-tall monolith along the Columbia River, 35 miles east of Vancouver. A trail ascends to the top.
Turner was a firefighter for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue in Oregon, the bulletin said.